One little sip of this Bourbon Sour leads to another. Your taste buds try to pinpoint exactly what's at play in the delectable concoction... Citrus, for sure. But what kind? Orange? Lemon? What's that hint of sweetness mingling with the bourbon? Maple syrup? You take another sip. Wonder about these things. Smile. And sip some more.

When our friends Dave and Roxy came over for dinner last fall, they brought cocktail fixins and when I saw the ingredients going into Dave's mix, I knew the drink was going to be good - but I didn't know it would be this good! Dave was kind enough to share the recipe and so was his original source, James Schaaf - thank you Dave and James.

We've now made this cocktail many many times for friends. Those who've tasted it always ask us to whip up another batch the next time we get together. With Labor Day just around the corner, you know what to do to make your friends happy.... a backyard BBQ with Bourbon Sours sounds good, doesn't it?

Oh wow! I first heard of a drink similar to this from Deb at Smitten Kitchen -- she calls it Vermontucky Lemonade, and we're just nuts for it :) Her version uses club soda, however, and no bitters -- I love the addition of bitters! Can't wait to try this, as Vermontucky Lemonade is already much-requested by friends at cookouts :) We really like Buffalo Trace for this cocktail, though Old Overholt does well at a lower price point.

Thanks for the wonderful inspiration -- I will make one for my husband and myself tonight! -- and for making it look impossibly beautiful!

Now this is a perfect Labor Day cocktail! Is that St. George Bourbon from Alameda and the same folks that make hangar one vodka? If so, I need to jump over there soon. Lovely photos! Hope you and your family enjoy the long holiday weekend. The weather should be great around here.

This sounds like the perfect cocktail for easing into fall. The touch of maple syrup is perfect - I had a maple-based Manhattan the other day, and just loved the way the maple and whiskey play off each other, so I'm quite intrigued to see how that pairing would work with a little citrus added to the mix.

Now this sounds and looks like a great drink. Can't wait to try it myself. This summer, I was all about Hugo (a mixture of elderflower cordial, mint, lime and prosecco), but I think these bourbon sours would be the perfect drink for the upcoming Fall. Thanks Erin! xoxo

Such a great idea - citrus and whiskey. I've done everything else... vodka, rum, wine, tequila. But whiskey, no. Love it! And I can't get over how pretty the glistening ice cubes are. So glad I have a lemon tree. Doing this recipe soon! Hope all is well, friend. :)

Hi Erin, I took the ingredients for the bourbon sours to a friend's last night and made them up for 6 of us and they were delish! The colour was a little darker than yours, perhaps the orange bitters I bought were a darker hue than yours. I'd never drunk whiskey before. I also made the Ottolenghi saffron chicken which you posted a little while ago and it was wonderful too. Looking forward to your book. Cheers, Meredith PS I'm now gluten free, actually grain free, so really enjoying your recipes!

Meredith, what a treat to hear from you!!! So fun to think of you eating the Ottolenghi saffron chicken and drinking bourbon sours. It makes me smile.I hope all is well with you and your family. Big hugs to all,xxooE

Before two minutes ago, we didn't have any plans for the weekend. But I think now they're going to comprise of having a bourbon sour or two! Aww shoot, an excuse to buy a fresh bottle of Bulleit. Love the ingredients in this, I am sure it's going to taste waaaaaaaaaaay better than that pre-packaged sour mix stuff:)